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Shot, But Survived: Thirty-three years ago, realtor Dan Parks was shot three times in the face behind his downtown Santa Barbara office — but survived.

Parks, 83, a familiar figure on the sidewalks of upper State Street in his wheelchair since then, died of a heart attack at his San Roque home Sunday night. The shooting remains a mystery.

Parks was usually the first customer at the Farmer Boy restaurant every morning and spent the day visiting friends at local businesses.

“He was never down and never depressed,” his son Gary told The Independent. “Only 5 percent of people shot in the head survive.”

Parks’s family found him in the parking lot of his real estate office late at night four days after Christmas 1977, apparently hours after the shooting. Gary believes it was a botched holdup. Parks is survived by his wife, Renee, and four children. Services will be private.

Comments

This was a very resilient and impressive man . Although I never had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Parks , I would always make it a point to give him a honk on the horn when passing by in my car , to which he NEVER failed to return a friendly wave . He could give us all a lesson in how to handle adversity . I hope his family realizes how many of us admired Mr . Parks .

Mr. Parks was alittle lite in my day. He used to go into CVS off of Calle Laureles alot and I would see him there . He would always smile and waive hello, and If was extra lucky he would give me a Lolly pop. What a sweet man, I'm sad I won't see him anymore.

DAN PARKS is an inspiration to us all. Despite the adversity he was dealt, he chose to live life to the fullest. Dan was loving, kind and generous with family, friends and strangers alike. He will always live in my heart. I know he's making friends and handing out candy in HEAVEN above. I LOVE YOU DAD. "beautiful day--sunshine", your son, Daniel